membership of the lords requires reform

Question 1

many are appointed for financial support rather than expertise

Answer 1

-peerages can be offered as a part of patronage, there is a statistical link between large donors and membership in the lords, Lord Bamford donated £1million to the Conservatives in 2010 and was soon appointed to the lords
-this process can be seen as fundamentally undemocratic, giving such positions to the financial elite, the system is open to abuse of patronage

Question 2

financial support>expertise evaluation

Answer 2

the argument assumes donors give money on the basis of a ‘quid quo pro’ (a favour for a favour) rather than to strengthen democratic institutions such as political parties that they support. Although there is no denying the statistical link between major donors and offers of peerages, Lord Bamford chairs a company (JCB) that employs 11,000 people – meaning he has significant business expertise.

Question 3

lack of democratic legitimacy undermines bicameralism

Answer 3

-too weak constitutionally to act as a check on the commons
-the legislature lacks the authority to do its job as a revising chamber and checking the actions of government
-Salisbury convention and `Parliament acts strip the lords of significant power

Question 4

lack of democratic legitimacy evaluation

Answer 4

proponents of the UK Constitution and critics of the US Constitution note that a democratic Lords may lead to political gridlock. In turn, this would mean that major political issues cannot be resolved. At present, the UK system strikes a sound balance: the government can drive its agenda through the Commons, but the Lords can only revise legislation to improve it, rather than veto the government’s initiatives.

Question 5

the current system allows for non-political experts

Answer 5

-HOLAC has helped to introduce more experts into the chamber allowing the lords to fulfil its role more effectively
-Lord Judge, crossbench legal expert, provides unrivalled legal knowledge particularly on human rights, shaping the UKs legislation
-it is highly unlikely that such experts would run for office so reform would strip the lords of this

Question 6

non-political experts evaluation

Answer 6

experts can offer their expertise to select committees that are staffed by democratically elected politicians. Select committees naturally call upon experts during their investigations – e.g., the Health and Social Care Committee quizzed Chris Whitty in relation to Covid-19. Hence, there is no justification for experts sitting – undemocratically – in the legislature.

Question 7

house is becoming more professional

Answer 7

-increased number of life peers, often experts in their field has produced a more effective chamber and committee system
-lords constitution committee revises legislation in relation to important constitutional changes such as Brexit

Question 8

professionalism evaluation

Answer 8

To generalise the Lords as a professional organisation ignores the startling research on Lords absenteeism. In 2017, The Guardian reported that 115 peers did not turn up to the chamber or Lords committees once to vote or debate yet claimed £1.3m in expenses.